Smoothies for weight loss are a nice, delicious way to stay healthy if done the right way. Nutritionists and experts agree that having nutrient and fiber-rich smoothies daily can keep hunger at bay and promote weight loss.
They can also provide you with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients without the calories. So, what goes into good homemade weight loss shakes?
Read on to find out!
A. What are the best things to put in a smoothie to lose weight?
To incorporate all kinds of needed nutrients, vitamins, proteins, and healthy fats, you can choose from a wide variety of ingredients to make a great smoothie.
Some of the usual components of a healthy smoothie are:
As you can see, there is an unlimited amount of combinations to try; it’s up to you to discover something that you would really like so that it will be easier to have a smoothie more often.
These ingredients also have different benefits aside from weight loss, some of which will be mentioned in the recipes to follow.
B. Healthy Smoothies That Help In Weight Loss
If you have no idea how to start a weight loss smoothie plan, here are five great recipes you can try! They are healthy, delicious, and complete to jumpstart your weight loss.
So what are you waiting for? Check them out!
1. Green Smoothie With Apple
This healthy vegetable and fruit smoothie have spices that surprise your taste buds and give it a unique taste similar to that of apple pie, minus all the sugars and unnecessary carbs. It kind of reminds you of Fall and Thanksgiving.
Apples are also great sources of vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber. They are incorporated in most diet plans because they are very filling but relatively low in calories. Many studies have proven that eating (or drinking) apples provide tons of health benefits.
Here are the ingredients that you will need:
- 1 peeled and cored apple
- ¼ cup of blueberries
- ? teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon chia seed
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup water
2. Healthy Chocolate and Banana Smoothie
Another crowd favorite among all weight loss smoothies recipes with almond milk, this chocolate, banana, and almond butter smoothie is a winner both in taste and protein content to keep you going.
Almond butter is a nice substitute for peanut butter that boosts the smoothie’s nutritional value and provides healthy unsaturated fats. It also blends well with fruits, vanilla, or chocolate.
Each serving of this smoothie contains 3.5 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein, 24 grams of carbohydrates, and only 151 calories.
All you’ll need to make this smoothie recipe are the following:
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup (preferably homemade and fat-free)
- A handful of ice
3. Double Berry Smoothie
Berries are common ingredients in weight loss smoothies because they are packed with antioxidants. Spinach is an ingredient in most green smoothies for weight loss that is very rich in nutrients and minerals like magnesium, iron, carotenoids, choline, and zinc.
Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and help in naturally improving metabolism. It also has an anti-inflammatory property that aids in relieving muscle soreness, bloating, and constricted respiratory passages, especially after a workout.
The flavors of this smoothie also combine very well with a creamy, delicious weight loss smoothie with a nice pop of color.
What you’ll need are as follows:
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup blueberries
- 1 cup raw spinach
- ½ cup strawberries
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
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4. Mango Cucumber Weight Loss Smoothie
Another combination that I love is this kale, mango, and cucumber smoothie that is so refreshing and reminds me of the tropics and the beach.
Mangoes are fruits containing high amounts of vitamins A and C but are low in calories. These vitamins help boost eye health and the immune system. Mangoes also contain essential plant compounds, soluble fibers, and antioxidants that aid in digestion and lower your risk of cancers and other chronic diseases.
Cucumbers, on the other hand, help keep you hydrated, refreshed, and full for longer due to its high water content while kale provides calcium, potassium, magnesium, folate, phosphorus, and more.
Aside from tasting great, this fruit smoothie has a light texture and nice flavor. To make it, you will need:
- 1 whole peeled orange
- ¼ cup mango
- 1 tablespoon flax seeds
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup spinach or kale (with the stems removed)
5. Pumpkin Powerhouse Smoothie
Last but not least, this smoothie is not as famous as the previous ones but can compete regarding providing you with much-needed energy, antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. Drink it as a breakfast smoothie to have the energy to last throughout the day.
According to Rebecca Lewis, R.D., a nutritionist, the nice orange color of pumpkins is due to their high concentrations of beta-carotene, an antioxidant. Each cup of pumpkin contains only 49 calories and lots of fibers that help keep you full without adding to your weight.
What you’ll need for this recipe are the following:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned will work just as well)
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- A pinch of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon powder
- A handful of ice cubes
To make these weight loss smoothies, simply put all the ingredients in a blender and blend. Adding ice is optional and makes the smoothies more watery and less creamy. One tip to make your smoothie cold is to freeze the fruits like bananas or strawberries beforehand. Frozen fruits also add creaminess and sweetness without adding unnecessary sugars.
These smoothies for weight loss are both delicious and healthy. However, you should remember that even the most perfect smoothie cannot make you lose weight overnight or magically. Nothing can really do that safely or in a sustainable, healthy way.
If you really want to shed some pounds, you need to consider other factors that play major roles in weight gain such as stress, sleep, hormones, and underlying medical conditions. Only by looking at the weight loss holistically can you really set your goals and achieve results effectively.
For longer-lasting maintenance of healthy body weight, the best medical advice is to combine a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and regular exercise.